P-Bruins 3, Sharks 0: First pro shutout for Subban

Friday

Jan 3, 2014 at 9:08 PM

PROVIDENCE -- Rookie goalie Malcolm Subban stopped 25 shots for his first professional shutout and Alex Khokhlachev and Nick Johnson each scored a goal and an assist to lead the Providence Bruins to a 3-0 win over the Worcester Sharks before 8,996 fa

Mark Divver Assistant Sports Editor markdivver

PROVIDENCE -- Rookie goalie Malcolm Subban stopped 25 shots for his first professional shutout and Alex Khokhlachev and Nick Johnson each scored a goal and an assist to lead the Providence Bruins to a 3-0 win over the Worcester Sharks before 8,996 fans at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Friday night.

P-Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy was pleased with the defensive play of his team, which won its third straight game.

"We gave up very little. We're getting better at defending. We managed the puck pretty well,'' he said.

"Our power play gave us life. We didn't score on it, but it got us going and got the crowd into it. We started playing a little faster in the neutral zone, getting on them. Sure enough, we got a couple (of goals) in the second on good forecheck turnovers.''

Khokhlachev played well in returning to the lineup after missing nine games with a hand/wrist injury.

"He had some jump. He was really flying around. Scored a nice goal and made some good plays. It was nice to have him back in the lineup. He certainly gives us some speed,'' said Cassidy.

Because of callups, the Sharks were forced to ice a lineup that had scored just 28 goals this season.

"Let's face it. Some of their offensive guys were not in the lineup for whatever reason. We're aware of that so we clamped down even more. (Subban) did his job,'' said Cassidy. "He did what he had to do and earned the shutout.''

Johnson, sent down from Boston on Wednesday, opened the scoring at 16:42 of the first period, beating Sharks goalie Troy Grosenick with a shot from 35 feet. Khokhlachev and David Warsofsky were credited with assists.

Providence doubled the lead just 71 seconds into the second period on a goal by Khokhlachev, assisted by Johnson and Craig Cunningham.

Justin Florek snapped in a one-timer off a pass from Carter Camper to give the P-Bruins a 3-0 lead at 13:12 of the second period. Jared Knight also was credited with an assist.
Providence outshot Worcester, 30-25.

The P-Bruins were 0 for 3 on the power play. The Sharks were 0 for 2 with the man-advantage.

Providence visits Springfield on Saturday night at 7, then hosts Worcester again on Sunday afternoon at 3:05.